Crying has always been associated with a form of weakness. It is seen as a sign of caring too much about something we shouldn't care about, "not being strong enough" or "tough enough." Regardless of what people say, I am here to tell you, whether you are a man, woman, boy or girl, it is okay to cry!

It is okay to cry when you have had the worst day ever, when that trivial thing piles on top of all the bottled up emotions that you've been holding inside and makes your burden too heavy to bear. It is okay. You are human, and those burdens are too much for one human to carry sometimes. One of my favorite movie quotes of all time reads, "There is strength in needing others, not weakness." There is so much truth in that simple statement. We need friends, family, support systems and the Lord to keep us afloat. It is most certainly okay to lean on them when you feel like you are being crushed by anxiety, depression or a work load. Asking for help is stronger than thinking you can bear it on your own.

Terrible things happen in life. Important people in our lives pass away, we fail at something we have tried so hard to succeed in, we fail a test, we fight with our friends or family, or we just feel lost. It is okay to cry for any or all of those things. You are not weak. You are human. We cry to cope, to show how we feel or how much we care. It is part of human nature and we shouldn't shame it. So cry if you stubbed your toe or cry if you feel the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

At the same time, wonderful things happen in our lives: A newborn baby, a wedding, a first kiss, a graduation, a good day. So cry because you are happy. Cry because you are beginning the start of forever with the love of your life. Cry because you are holding the most adorable niece or nephew in the world. Moments of unexplainable or abounding joy are appropriate for tears as well.

Don't be ashamed to cry. You aren't any less of a man, and you aren't a weak girl. You are human and you are capable or experiencing emotion. You don't have to answer to anyone or defend your tears. Feel whatever you are feeling. It's what makes you, you!